From the Principal 

Dear St Mary's Families

It was wonderful joining the community Saturday week ago to celebrate Prom gone Wrong.  It was so much fun and everyone went to so much trouble with their costumes.  I have to be honest many men had hair styles that made recognising them quite difficult! It was evident that the St Mary's community love a dress up and to kick up their heels whilst covered in taffeta! Many many people worked towards making this evening the success it was.  Kasia as leader of the P & F has thanked and acknowledged everyone on the P&F page.

There was a team of five who made the event happen and did not get much sleep in the month leading up to the night. We thank their families for enabling them to give so much. Kasia and Henry spent many hours at school in preparation for the night, for which we thank you.  We would like to acknowledge and thank the leader of our SWEG (School Wide Event Group) Lynn Hendrix. We thank her for sharing her creative talents, inclusiveness and sense of fun with our community. Louisa Formica our P & F treasurer and member of the P & F and SWEG, Louisa worked tirelessly  using her many connections ranging from the DJ and bar tender to marketing promotions. Louisa's energy and can do attitude was contagious. We thank Angela Clelland and Joanne Giannone, who gathered the most amazing amount and array of donations for the auctions and prizes.  No business within a 5km radius of school were safe from their requests. Together they set up the online auction with a detailed description of each item. On the night their experience came to the fore supporting Richard and Liz with the live auction.  Whether you donated items or services,  participated in the online auction or came on the night, everyone at St Mary's Primary School should feel very proud of what we achieved. 

Congratulations to Ivan and Jessica for being crowned King and Queen of the Prom, it was a tough decision as there were many worthy contestants on the night. 

Please read the Parents and Friends News page for further information.

Prep 100 Days 

Whilst on duty last Monday I kept seeing many 'old people' walking into the Prep classroom, of course it was 100 Days of Prep! The whole school enjoyed the 'eldery'  accompanied by their elder statesman Miss Jacquie parade. We all clapped and sang along as the children confidently and many in character paraded in front of us all. This was followed by some  multi age Maths 100 activities in the middle block of the day. Myself and Mr Speranza were delighted to join the class and enjoy a special afternoon tea. Thank you to Miss Jacquie and our Prep students and their families for such a great day.  As a staff we also celebrated 100 days for our two graduate teachers Kieran Mc Guinness and Naomi Raffaele.  We congratulate them and thank them for their had work and all that they bring to our community. We also celebrated 100 Days of Mr Speranza being our Deputy Principal. Anthony has already contributed so much to our community especially in the areas of Wellbeing, Learning and Teaching and school operations. We are blessed to have him. 

Staff Professional Development day 

Thank you to the community for supporting our Professional Development day last Friday. It is essential to work together as a whole staff as we enact our School Improvement Plan and our Annual Action Plan. These documents are road maps to ensure effective learning outcomes for each child. Our three priorities over the next four years, based on the review last year are: 

Goal: Develop and embed a Whole School Learning & Teaching Model

Goal: Develop and embed Professional Learning Communities and use of data

Goal: To increase opportunities for student agency throughout the school.

In the afternoon we did further work with our whole school approach of Positive Behaviour Learning and School Wide Positive Behaviour & Intervention Supports.  Anthony then introduced the staff to Seesaw, our exciting new digital resource. 

Learning Support Officers

We are fortunate at SMPS to this amazing team supporting our students with their learning, social and emotional learning and anything else that is required. This team led by our learning Diversity Leader Mrs Catherine Le Hunt, ensures that our students receive the support and guidance to grow as independent learners. We thank Melody, Kate, Kat, Sarah and Melissa for all that they give to our community. Each of them goes above and beyond to do this. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to our 2022 Conformation candidates.  On Tuesday night our students supported by their sponsors, family and the whole staff celebrated this important Sacrament.  We thank Bishop Tony Ireland for conferring the Sacrament. His personable and engaging manner was appreciated by all. In preparation for the Sacrament the students participated in a Family Faith Night and a Reflection Day. We thank Daniella (Ivy's mum) , Jorge (Daniel's dad) and Georgia (Tammy's grandma) and Jo Bright for preparing the special lunch on behalf of Father Jerome. The students shared information about their saints, explored what is important to them and the legacy they will leave behind. At the core of these concepts are the gifts and fruits of the holy spirit. Bishop Tony visited the students and shared information about the Sacrament and answered all questions. We thank our Faith Leader Carmel Vozzo, Miss Paula and Kat for their work with the students. 

Swimming 

We are  delighted to see our students commence swimming lessons this week. Swimming and water safety are very important skills for all children from Prep to Year 6.  To see the students in their different groups getting wet and having fun in water reminded me of our pre COVID times.  These lessons expand a great deal of energy and the children may need an extra round of sandwiches and fruit serves on swimming days. Getting to bed early is also important to ensure that the children are fresh for the next day.  Swimming caps (latex or silicon) are essential. 

Hoop Time 

Congratulations to our Hoop Time participants.  The students played very well and did very well.  More importantly we were very proud of the way they represented our school and the spirit of sport that they displayed.     

Please see some of our clever Year 2 students sharing their procedural texts of how to make a milk shake below. The steps were easy to follow and we may have some future chefs among us! 

Science incursion

Today our senior students continued to learn about our solar system. They gathered in the Space Dome and watched the projections on the dome. It really felt like they were in space I am reliably told.  Thanks to Mr Scott for organising this fantastic excursion and bringing outer space to St Mary's Primary School. 

Child Safety Update 

On the 1st July this year our Child Safety standards were updated. 

There are now 11 Standards, which include new requirements such as:

• involving families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
• a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
• managing the risk of child abuse in online environments.

Standard 1 

Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Standard 2

Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3

Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4

Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5

Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6

People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7

Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.

Standard 8

Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Standard 9

Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10

Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11

Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

The  CECV Statement of Commitment to Child Safety A safe, nurturing and empowering culture for all children and young people in Catholic schools is attached below for your reference. 

Take care and peace and God’s blessing to each of you, 

Cathy